Train Trip to Copper Canyon

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Wednesday, 5 December 2007 - Woke early for sunrise at Copper Canyon and watched the morning light on the canyon cliffs and pine forests, observed Tarahumara Indians overlooking the canyon expanse, studied rugged rock formations and canyon environments from the rim, then drove from the canyon into Chihuahua City arriving at night to see the illuminated cathedral, Plaza Mayor with its Christmas tree and lights, and the historic San Francisco Mission in the glowing downtown.

mexico2007 — Sunrise in Copper Canyon.

We got up early to see the sun peak over the rim. Unfortunately there were no clouds so the sunrise was pretty but not spectacular. This is a photograph of the cliffs in the early morning light.

mexico2007 — The canyons are surrounded by pine trees - some on the edge are obviously buffeted by wind.

mexico2007 — Typical rock formation in the canyon.

mexico2007 — Mile deep canyons have starkly different environments on the sierras and inside the barrancas. On the high plateaus and canyon rims with altitudes over 8000 feet, the climate is temperate (cold winters, mild summers) with heavy summer rains.

mexico2007 — Beautiful, fragrant, coniferous forests of pine and Douglas fir cover these highlands where the black bear, puma, Mexican wolf and mountain lion live in the more remote regions. These animals are rarely seen and are threatened with extinction in the Sierra Tarahumara

mexico2007 — Tarahumara Indians look over the canyon expanse.

Francisco de Ibarra and members of his expedition to Paquime in 1565 were probably the first Europeans to penetrate the Sierra Tarahumara. Later, Gaspar Osorio reached Chinipas (southwestern region of the Sierra Tarahumara) in 1589 and by 1590, silver had been discovered in the canyon lands.

mexico2007 — Prospectors arrived along with priests who established several missions. Under the guidance of the Padres, mission churches, schools and other buildings were constructed but some of the early 17th century structures were razed when the Tarahumara and other tribes revolted against their enslavement and the devastating effects of European diseases that greatly reduced their numbers.

mexico2007 — Goats herded by the Tarahumara eat on the canyon's edge.

The goat is on the far right bottom - in case it is hard to spot.

mexico2007 — There are great Hummingbird feeders on the hotel balcony. Tough to capture with your camera but fun to try.

mexico2007 — Looks like the same bird - can you tell?

mexico2007 — Such pretty wings - and so fast.

mexico2007 — From the Copper Canyon we drove to Chihuahua arriving at night. After dinner we walked from the hotel to the center of town. Tony encouraged us to see the lights of the city. As this was Christmastime the lights were even more impressive.

This is the Chihuahua Cathedral in lights.

mexico2007 — In Plaza Mayor there was a huge Christmas Tree that changed color. Next to it is the Angle of Liberty.

In the background is the San Francisco Mission bathed in blue.

mexico2007 — San Francisco Mission

It is named San Francisco because a previous name of the city of Chihuahua was San Francisco El Cuellar. Its architecture is typical of franciscan missions, simple and serene, and always painted in white in accord with the Franciscans policy of austerity.

It was one of the first churches in Chihuahua City. Construction was begun around the year of 1715. In 1811 the beheaded body of Miguel Hidalgo was entombed in one of the two chapels of the temple; after the independence of Mexico, it was taken to Mexico City.

mexico2007 — Christmas lights on a public building near Plaza Mayor.

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